So let's look at some of the most fun potential groups we could see take the floor together. There are so many different ways the Jazz can go with this roster. If he impresses the coaching staff during training camp, he could earn starting minutes right out of the gate. He's had two down seasons due to injury and mismanagement, but if he can get back to the player he was through his first few seasons, he could be very valuable for Utah. His production will be a huge question for the Jazz this year. The second issue is that John Collins might be one of the best players on this team. It was a very effective lineup offensively but struggled to defend. The first is that in 154 possessions last season, that lineup was -1.6 points per 100 possessions. There are, however, two issues with that lineup. I believe they'll have first dibs for those starting roles. Will Hardy has already shown trust in Sexton and Olynyk. My prediction is that lineup number 1 will start on opening night. Kris Dunn, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Walker Kessler.Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler. Choosing Kris Dunn as the point guard could be a way to offset that, though, so I would expect Hardy to go one of two directions: If Collins were to be Hardy's choice in the starting lineup, playmaking would be a significant weakness. While Markkanen, Kessler, and Collins are all willing to pass, none of them have the playmaking ability that Olynyk does. Olynyk's connective passing and secondary playmaking will be something the team will sorely need. Kelly Olynyk became Utah's best passer despite playing as a center or power forward. Mike Conley was the only true passer and playmaker for the Jazz last year, and the team struggled in that area after he was traded. Olynyk started all 68 games he played last year, and perhaps more importantly, he fills needs for the Jazz that Collins might not. The question is, will the third frontcourt starter be Kelly Olynyk or John Collins? Kessler will play center, and Markkanen can comfortably play either forward position. The frontcourt is easier to predict, as we know that Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler will be starters. Love a comeback story… /ugQyZYGIMK- NBA University August 3, 2023 Perhaps most impressively, he shot 54.7% from floater range-6th highest in the NBA. Kris Dunn played 22 games for Utah last season, averaging Įxcellent numbers and PHYSICAL on both ends. Clarkson would have to take the point guard role if he were to start, which is not ideal. Ochai Agbaji might be the most deserving of a starting spot among these names, but he's not a point guard. Keyonte George checks many boxes here, but Hardy has made it clear that rookies need to earn minutes with their on-court performance rather than being given minutes to develop. Talen Horton-Tucker played some point guard at the end of last season and showed great flashes of talent, but he has significant flaws in his game. The most natural point guard on the roster is probably Kris Dunn, but he's one of the older players on the team and may not be a long-term piece. Jordan Clarkson will almost certainly be a starter, as he has started all 61 games he's played for Coach Hardy, but he is naturally a shooting guard. Ochai Agbaji, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kris Dunn all had turns in the starting lineup, and Jordan Clarkson even occasionally took the reigns at point guard.Ĭoming into the season, that point guard position remains a mystery. When Collin Sexton was healthy, he often started but missed 34 games to injury. From that point onward, the starting point guard position was up for grabs. The lineup got shaken even more when Conley and other Jazz teammates were traded away. Throughout the season, Walker Kessler proved his value and earned a starting role, relegating Vanderbilt to the bench. That was also Hardy's most-used lineup all year, with 629 possessions. Last season, the opening-day starting lineup was Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Kelly Olynyk. Let's take a look at some of Utah's options. With the midseason subtractions of Mike Conley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley, as well as the more recent addition of John Collins, this year's starting lineup will look different from last year. The current roster is not close to a finished product yet, but it does have a lot of talent. The Utah Jazz are in the second season of a rebuild after trading away almost the entire roster a year ago. Coach Will Hardy will have a flexible roster in the 2023-24 NBA season.
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